Consultation Information

Practice Policy Guidelines for New Patients

Due to the demands of a private medical practice, this is our written practice policy on attending a consultation.

Consultations

First patient consultations as well as existing patient consultations for a new problem will be billed at R 900.00. The consultation fee is payable immediately after the consultation. Consultations are scheduled for 45 minutes. Please arrive a few minutes early to complete paperwork if necessary. Please be courteous to other patients by not extending your consultation time.

Follow up consultations and check-up visits

I usually see patients at 1 week and 6 weeks post-surgery. I occasionally need to see patients at other times to assist with dressings or if there are any specific concerns. These follow up consultations are scheduled for 15 minutes and the same courtesies as above apply. In line with the South African Medical Association (SAMA) guidelines, these visits within the first 6 weeks after surgery are not billed. Any additional consumables which may be used will be billed at the relevant NAPPI rates. Follow up visits after 6 weeks will be billed at a reduced rate of R 450.00 per consultation. New problems will be billed as a new consultation.

Cancellation Policy

To keep my waiting times acceptable, the following cancellation policy will be applicable. Patients who are 15 minutes late will be re-scheduled without exception. Patients who cancel their scheduled appointments less than 24 hours prior to the time will be re-booked at the next open appointment, but cannot be given priority. “No-show” patients will be required to pay for the consultation upfront if they wish to be re-booked, as a show of good faith.

Medical Aid Contracts

I have a contract with Discovery Health Classic plans only – Classic Saver, Classic Comprehensive or Executive plans will be fully covered. Other schemes have their own specific rates, which may, or may not require a co-payment on your part. It is your responsibility to check this with your scheme and the final responsibility of account payment rests with the patient and/or their guarantor.

Office Procedures

Office procedures require payment in full at the conclusion of the procedure. You may submit your paid invoice to your scheme for reimbursement. In all non-PMB cases, the funds for such reimbursements will come from the “Day-to-Day Benefits”. In the case of a PMB diagnosis, we will assist you in obtaining the necessary documents to have the procedure funded from the hospital plan, although we cannot guarantee this.

Paperwork

Many organizations request extensive medical reports and this administration burden is increasing exponentially. Often these forms have little material bearing on medical care. Forms which are less than four (4) A4 pages will be billed at R500.00 and forms which are longer will be billed at R700.00. The writing of prescriptions for collection or electronic transmission for medical conditions during the first six weeks are not charged for. Thereafter, the nominal fee specified by SAMA will apply.